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Published on: December 20, 2018
[Extraintestinal infection due to Aeromonas spp.: review of 38 cases]
Daniel Tena1, Alejandro González-Praetorius, Carmen Gimeno
1Sección de Microbiología, Hospital Universitario de Guadalajara, España. danielt@sescam.jccm.es
Introduction:
Aeromonas spp. typically cause gastroenteritis, but can occasionally produce extraintestinal infections. The aim of this study was to determine the clinical and microbiological characteristics of extraintestinal infections caused by Aeromonas spp. in our area.
Patients And Methods:
The clinical histories of patients with extraintestinal infections by Aeromonas spp. diagnosed in Hospital Universitario de Guadalajara (Guadalajara, Spain) from January 1990 to December 2005 were reviewed. Identification and susceptibility testing of the strains were performed by the MicroScan WalkAway-40 automated method (DadeBerhing).
Results:
Thirty-eight cases of extraintestinal infections were diagnosed: 18 abdominal infections, 11 skin and soft tissue infections, 3 urinary tract infections, and 3 episodes of bacteremia with no primary focus. The species most frequently found was A. hydrophila (16 cases). Infection occurred most often in patients with underlying diseases (76.3%), including malignancy (34.2%) and diabetes mellitus (21%). Polymicrobial infections were detected in 50% and the etiology was nosocomial in 21%. The mortality rate was 16.2%. Gentamicin, amikacin, cefotaxime and ciprofloxacin had the highest activity against the Aeromonas species isolated.
Conclusions:
Aeromonas spp. as the causative infectious agent should be kept in mind in patients with infections of the biliary system, surgical wounds in the abdomen and posttraumatic cellulitis. Extraintestinal infection is usually polymicrobial, appears most commonly in patients with underlying diseases, and generally has a good prognosis. The most active antibiotics in vitro were gentamicin, amikacin, cefotaxime and ciprofloxacin.
Insights
Extraintestinal Aeromonas spp. infections are often polymicrobial and occur in patients with underlying conditions. Gentamicin, amikacin, cefotaxime, and ciprofloxacin show high activity against these bacteria.
Area of Science:
- Clinical microbiology
- Infectious diseases
Context:
- Aeromonas species commonly cause gastroenteritis but can lead to severe extraintestinal infections.
- Understanding the characteristics of these infections is crucial for effective patient management.
Purpose:
- To determine the clinical and microbiological features of extraintestinal Aeromonas species infections.
- To identify common patient demographics, infection types, and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns.
Summary:
- A review of 38 cases identified abdominal infections, skin/soft tissue infections, UTIs, and bacteremia.
- Aeromonas hydrophila was the most common species; infections frequently occurred in patients with malignancy or diabetes.
- Polymicrobial and nosocomial infections were noted, with a 16.2% mortality rate.
Impact:
- Highlights the importance of considering Aeromonas species in specific infections like biliary system infections and abdominal surgical wounds.
- Provides data on effective antibiotics (gentamicin, amikacin, cefotaxime, ciprofloxacin) for treating these infections.
- Informs clinical practice regarding diagnosis and treatment of extraintestinal Aeromonas infections, particularly in vulnerable patient populations.
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